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| The disorder, which leads to diabetes and heart disease, usually appears between the ages of 5 and 15. Lindsey’s was diagnosed Sept. 29, after her parents and doctors became concerned that she didn’t regain her balance after a broken leg had healed. Sandy Parrish recalled that she watched Lindsey perform with her Tuscarawas Dance Arts class and wondered why her daughter’s steps looked so different. A magnetic resonance imaging test, several blood tests and a list of possible diagnoses later, they had their answer. Jim Parrish said he and his wife, who haven’t tested their two younger daughters, Emily and Kendra, for the disorder, told their eldest daughter about her diagnosis and what it means to her future. “We explained this is all about you,” he said, adding that they stressed the power of a positive attitude. Lindsey has taken that advice to heart. She’s excelling at school, where she is a member of the National Junior Honor Society, the honor roll, and a runner-up in the school spelling bee. She plays clarinet in the band and takes tap and jazz classes and focuses on the uneven bars with Tuscarawas Gymnastics. “I want to be a QT, but I have to get a lot more flexible for that,” she said. Jim Parrish, who is a New Philadelphia firefighter, said his local union has voted to devote some fund-raisers to the cause, and some members will support the family in the walk. Members of their church, First Christian Church at New Philadelphia, have also stepped up. Children in the New Philadelphia school district have added their dollars on special dress days to help Lindsey’s race against research. “They think hers is going to be a slower progression,” Jim Parrish said. “Let’s hope so.” Article Courtesy of The Times-Reporter, Dover-New Philadelphia, Ohio |
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| 2004 Walking for Lindsey -- Family supporting fund-raiser for research (By JULIE KENNEDY, T-R Staff Writer Lindsey Parrish, 13, smiles as she talks about an upcoming walk to fund research on her rare degenerative disorder, Friedreich’s ataxia. “I’m a little wobbly,” said 13-year-old Lindsey Parrish explaining her slightly staggered walk. |
| The New Philadelphia Welty Middle School 7th-grader is hoping that members of the community will use their steadier gaits to help her win a race. “The race we’re in is her progression to their research,” Lindsey’s father, Jim Parrish, said. Lindsey has been diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia, an extremely rare degenerative neuromuscular disorder that affects about 1 in every 50,000 people whose parents both carry a gene for it. Until a couple of years ago, researches hadn’t been able to distinguish it from multiple sclerosis. There is no cure for the life-shortening disorder, but Parrish said his daughter’s doctor believes researchers are close. The family is asking anyone who can to help raise money for research by participating in the Muscular Dystrophy Assn.’s Stride n’ Ride Walk-a-thon at Westfield Shoppingtown Belden Village on March 13. Those who walk in Lindsey’s name can designate that their raised funds be used for research for her disorder. Lindsey’s mother, Sandy, said she’s asking each participant to raise $63 – enough for one minute of research. Donations also can be made to the MDA, and Sandy Parrish said she can help those who call her at (330) 308-0699. |
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| Friedreich’s Ataxia Support through the years |
| 2005--The Parrish family is up and running for raising money for Friedreich's Ataxia research and a cure for Lindsey, who was diagnosed with this debilitating disorder last year. Lindsey is doing well, keeping active but does show some signs of progression, especially when she is tired and is very eager to be a normal almost 15 year old, in-spite of her parents worries!
The Second Annual Walk is scheduled for the morning of Saturday, May 7th and this year will be held at the New Towne Mall in New Philadelphia (Ohio), with hopes of a larger awareness event and more active team players. Last year we had an awesome 89 walkers and raised more than $20,000 on this one day, with other huge events that followed and gave us a record fundraiser total of nearly $35,000 - we want to beat this number we want to beat this number and need your help to do so!!!! A HUGE "Thank YOU" to everyone who participated last year and we hope they and additional people will join us in this awesome awareness event! If you know of any corporate companies that we can contact, we do have a corporate letter prepared in hopes of more awareness and funds we would like to raise! Please, feel free to pass this site along, we are hoping to make everyone aware of this event and our quest to find a cure for Lindsey and the other children with this disorder, before any more progression is upon us!! -The Parrish Family |
| 2006: The third annual "Lindsey Parrish ~ MDA
Stride-n-Ride Walk-a-thon" This year, we have the honor and pleasure of participating in our third annual MDA's New Philadelphia Stride And Ride 3/11/2006) to help "Jerry's kids®" and in honor of Lindsey Parrish! Lindsey has agreed to serve as our Team Captain and our team would not be complete without YOU! Our team goal is to do the best we can in raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Below is a link you can use to sponsor Lindsey and add to our team goal! You can also forward this to your own family, friends and email loop. They can then use their credit card via MDA's secure site to make their tax-deductible donations. MDA makes reaching your goal easy and fun! We are VERY excited to improve our results from previous years because we are finally seeing results from our previous fundraising - there is currently clinical trials now in progress for Lindsey's disorder, not just research and her future is very hopeful!! In fact, Lindsey is currently involved in a clinical trial of a new drug therapy that could help slow down her progression, IF the trial is successful and approved! There is also several other clinical trials in progress that may even reverse progression and strengthen weaknesses within her disorder, helping her and many others who are not as fortunate to still be as mobile. These trials are in progress and not finished but we are very hopeful! All those currently being funded need our help and we are hoping you will help us build a bigger and stronger event in 2006!! WE NEED YOU!! Thanks for helping Lindsey and making a difference! The Parrish family Jim, Sandy, Lindsey, Emily & Kendra |
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| Dear Friend,
This coming March 8th, the Parrish family will once again begin seeking donations and walkers for our fourth annual MDA/SAM “Parrish family” Walk-a-thon and it will again be held at the New Philadelphia High School gymnasium. This event benefits research with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Seek a Miracle. Helping people with neuromuscular diseases, such as our Lindsey’s disorder, Friedreich’s Ataxia and hope of a cure one day in the near future! We are VERY excited to improve our results from the previous years because we are finally seeing results from our earlier fundraising! There is several clinical trials in progress that may help slow down Lindsey’s progression or may even reverse it and strengthen weaknesses within her disorder, helping her and many others, who are not as fortunate to still be as mobile. These trials are in progress and not finished but we are very hopeful! All those currently being funded need our help and we are hoping you will help us build a bigger and stronger event in 2008!! WE NEED YOU!! You can also help by sharing this message with everyone you know ~ we will take any donation of sponsorship ~ BIG or SMALL ~ and from any company, group or individual! All donations are tax deductible and are going exclusively to help fund a "cure" for Friedreich's Ataxia and Lindsey! Checks should be made out to MDA/SAM (Muscular Dystrophy Association/Seek A Miracle) and can be mailed to: Lindsey Parrish 393 Schoenbrunn Dr. NE New Philadelphia, OH. 44663. By responding and donating, you are helping Lindsey ~ We all THANK YOU so much!!! If you are interested in participating in the MDA/SAM “Parrish family” Walk-a-thon we would be thrilled to have you. A minimum of $100 sponsorship is required for each team participant and we will be glad to answer any other questions about the event. If you need additional information or have any questions - you can email us at parrish86@roadrunner.com or call @ 330-308-0699. Again, thank you in advance for your help and exposure of awareness in this event! Sincerely, The Parrish Family Jim, Sandy, Lindsey, Emily & Kendra Print and Mail a Donation form by Clicking Here |